GDPR Privacy Policy

Audio-Technica Corporation (hereinafter referred to as “we,” “us,” or “our”) endeavors to protect the privacy of our website users, and has established this privacy policy (hereinafter referred to as “Privacy Policy”) to take all reasonably possible measures to appropriately treat and protect personal information, including that of individuals residing in the European Economic Area (hereinafter referred to as “EEA”) who are protected under Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the General Data Protection Regulation (hereinafter referred to as “GDPR”). If required by domestic laws and regulations for a user’s residence, such laws and regulations are deemed as supplementing the Privacy Policy. Before using our website, www.audio-technica.co.jp, and its various subdomains and individual pages (hereinafter collectively referred to as “Our Site”), please carefully read the Privacy Policy to the end.

Article 1 Definition of Terms and Scope of Application of Privacy Policy

1. The following terms in the Privacy Policy shall have the following meanings:

(1) User
An identifiable natural person using Our Site to whom personal information belongs.
(2) Personal data
Any information that can identify an individual (including those which can be easily collated with other information and thereby identify a specific individual).
(3) Applicable privacy laws and regulations
GDPR and the Act on the Protection of Personal Information of Japan.
(4) Treatment
Operations performed on personal data, whether manually or by automatic means, including collection, recording, preservation, editing, processing, correction or change, search, reference, use, disclosure by transmission, distribution, allowing access by other means, erasing or deletion, and restoration. The controller with regard to processing is our company.
(5) Consent of user
An unobscured expression of intention of a user based on prior information, through which the user expresses their consent to the treatment of personal data in connection with themself.

2. Our Site may include information of third parties (hyperlinks, banners, etc.). We do not administer information of these third parties, and we are not responsible for the third parties’ observance of the applicable privacy laws and regulations. Our Site users are requested to carefully read the privacy policies of third parties’ websites they visit.

Article 2 Personal Data We Collect

1. We may obtain the following personal data from users:
a. Full name, pronunciation, date of birth, and detailed address
b. Information concerning orders or customer service (including the past record of their transactions with us and details thereof)
c. E-mail address and phone number
d. User name and password
e. IP address, cookie information, and other online identifiers
f. Details of payment (including credit card, debit card, and other payment information)
g. Information concerning employment and personal history
h. Shipping address information
i. Location and activity data
j. Information that can identify a specific individual by combining the above information

2. We do not collect sensitive personal data, such as passport information and health data, through Our Site.

3. We collect personal data when a user conducts any of the following acts:
a. Registering on Our Site
b. Placing an order for or making an inquiry about a product or service
c. Applying for employment through Our Site
d. Otherwise visiting or using Our Site

4. We process personal data only pursuant to the applicable privacy laws and regulations as set forth in the Privacy Policy.

Article 3 Objective and Legal Ground of Data Treatment

1. We collect and process personal data only for the objectives set forth below.

a. Performing contracts between users and us, or responding to requests from users prior to concluding contracts:
If a user places an order through Our Site, we may process the user’s personal data to perform the contract.
We will not process the personal data beyond the extent necessary to perform the contract.

b. Communication:
We may use personal data of a user for (i) communicating about our products and customer services, (ii) informing the user of the information that is important to the user’s account and/or the user, and (iii) responding to a complaint. If a user creates an account on Our Site, we preserve his or her personal data so that the user does not need to enter the personal data each time. Such processing of personal data is necessary for the purpose of performing the contract and/or our obtaining a proper profit, in other words, for performing normal operations.

c. Delivery of marketing information and transmission of advertisement e-mails:
If we contact a user for marketing via e-mail, we will always obtain the user’s consent in advance, unless it is related to a similar product that was ordered in the past. A user has the right to discontinue the distribution of e-mails from us at any time. Such processing of personal data is necessary for our obtaining a proper profit, in other words, communicating with the user to offer similar products and services, or based on prior consent of the user.

d. Customer services:
If a user utilizes our customer services, we may use personal data of such user to provide the customer services. Such processing of personal data is necessary for the purpose of performing the contract and/or our obtaining a proper profit, in other words, for performing normal operations.

e. Application for employment:
If a user applies for employment through Our Site, we may use such user’s personal data to respond to such application. Such processing of personal data is necessary for our obtaining a proper profit, in other words, for the employment of those who will work at our company.

f. Maintenance and improvement of services, and analysis of usage:
For the maintenance and improvement of services on Our Site, and for the analysis of trends in use of Our Site, we may use such user’s personal data. Such processing of personal data is necessary for our obtaining a proper profit, in other words, for performing normal operations.

g. Customization of advertisements and content:
If we use personal data of a user to adjust advertisements and contents displayed on this site for such user, we will always obtain the consent of the user in advance. A user has the right to discontinue the use with enhanced conversion according to the following paragraph at any time. Such processing of personal data is necessary for our obtaining a proper profit, in other words, for providing advertisements and content for the user, or based on prior consent of the user.

h. Identity verification:
If we receive an inquiry about the exercise of a right concerning personal data or other matters, we may use such user’s personal data to verify the identity of the user. Such processing of personal data is necessary for our obtaining a proper profit, in other words, for performing normal operations and complying with the legal obligations we should follow.

2. About Google enhanced conversion
On this site, we perform advertisement measurement with enhanced conversion provided by Google Ads, using e-mail addresses held by us, for example, for the purposes of distributing advertisements suited to users’ interests and concerns, etc., and enhancing the accuracy of measuring the advertisement effect. If you want to discontinue use with enhanced conversion, please invalidate it using the following links.

■ Google LLC
> For explanation of the service, click here
> To opt out Google Ads, click here

3. When we intend to process personal data further for any other purposes than the purposes of processing at the time of collecting personal data, we provide the information concerning such other purposes and all related additional information to users before performing such processing.

Article 4 Transfer of Personal Data to Third Party

1. We may outsource all or part of the processing of personal data to a third party, including the provision of services on Our Site, to the extent necessary for achieving the purpose of use set forth in the Privacy Policy. When concluding a contract related to outsourcing, we will select a third party, based on the selection criteria set forth by us, after closely checking whether such third party is appropriate as an outsourcee with which to conclude a contract. In such contract concerning outsourcing, safety management measures, confidentiality, conditions for re-outsourcing, and other matters concerning appropriate processing of personal information will be stipulated, and appropriate management and supervision over such third party will be conducted by monitoring the status of the outsourced services.

2. We will not disclose or provide personal data to any third party without notice to the user except:
a. if it is based on laws and regulations, and if it is necessary to cooperate with a national agency or local government or those who are entrusted by the same in performing the services set forth in laws and regulations;
b. if it is necessary for the protection of the life, body, or property of an individual, and if it is difficult to obtain consent of such individual; or
c. if it is shared in our company group in conformity with GDPR. In this case, we will establish an appropriate legal framework applicable to the transfer and treatment of the personal data (Article 26, Article 28, and Article 29 of GDPR). In addition, when we share personal data with a third party outside the EEA, we will establish an appropriate legal framework applicable to the transfer of such personal data (this may include standard contractual clauses approved by the European Commission).

Article 5 Security

1. To protect the personal data of users of Our Site, we will take appropriate organizational and technical security measures to prevent unauthorized uses, losses, or manipulation of personal data. Further, only employees, agents, outsourcees, and other third parties who need to access personal data will be authorized to access such personal data. They will assume confidentiality obligation in accordance with their employment contracts or (data processing) contracts.

2. In the event of a personal data breach, we will notify concerned supervisory authorities and data subjects under the applicable privacy laws and regulations.

Article 6 Storage Period

If the minimum storage period is specified in the applicable privacy laws and regulations, we will store personal information during such period. After the minimum storage period passes, or if there is no such minimum storage period, we will promptly delete the personal data, when it becomes unnecessary to store it, in the light of the purpose of collecting the user’s personal data or the purpose of processing it.

Article 7 Cookies

1. We use cookies so that Our Site works correctly.

2. Cookies are small blocks of information that are stored on the computers of Our Site users by browsers. We use different types of cookies for different purposes.

a. Functional cookies:
They are cookies necessary for Our Site to work correctly, and also include cookies necessary to create an account.

b. Analytical cookies:
They are cookies to obtain information about how users are using all or part of Our Site. We use the data obtained through cookies not on a personal level, but at a comprehensive level, to analyze the usage of Our Site. We use Google Analytics for analysis, and make use of it to improve the convenience and other aspects of Our Site.

c. Targeting cookies:
These cookies are used for marketing purposes, such as targeting advertisement and provision of related contents. With the use of these cookies, the information on a user’s access to Our Site, the tendency of browsing websites, and other information are associated, and may be used for advertisement services and for other purposes.

d. Social media cookies:
These cookies are used at the time of sharing information using the share buttons (social plugin buttons) of social media. When a button is clicked, this information is shared on social media, and may be used for targeting and advertising activities.

3. We use third parties’ cookies to provide Our Site, to check appropriate operation of Our Site, to improve the quality and effectiveness of Our Site, to analyze our operations and marketing activities, and to track the use by users of this site or the services provided by us, and optimization for each user. In addition, when a user visits Our Site, we may permit a third party to provide advertisement and to obtain certain anonymous information. In order to provide advertisement for products and services suited to the interest of the user, such third party may use the information collected during the user’s visit to Our Site or other websites, and may otherwise utilize information similar to personal information. Such third party mainly use cookies and other similar technologies to obtain the above information, to recognize users, or associate it among different devices and browsers, and to provide targeting advertisement more effectively.

4. Most browsers are configured to validate cookies by default. By setting your browser, you can invalidate cookies and display cookies when they are transmitted. However, when cookies are invalidated, the functions and services on Our Site and other websites may not work correctly.

Article 8 Rights of Users

1. A user has the following rights under the applicable privacy laws and regulations including GDPR. When you claim these rights, please let us know using the electronic or postal mail addresses shown in the contact information below.
For the said request made by a user concerning their personal data, we will verify their identity and then respond to it appropriately to a reasonable extent. However, a user may not have certain rights depending on the applicable privacy laws and regulations (e.g., under the Act on the Protection of Personal Information of Japan, the right to data portability set forth in Paragraph 1, Item (6) of this Article is not permitted at the time of the revision of the Privacy Policy). In addition, due to the deletion of all or part of personal data or the end of its use, we may not provide satisfactory services to a user. Further, because of certain legal obligations may make us unable to delete, or to end the use of, the information held by us.

(1) When the processing of personal data is based on a user’s consent, the user has the right to withdraw their consent related to their personal data at any time.

(2) A user has the right to request access to their personal data. By doing so, the user of Our Site may receive a copy of their personal data held by us.

(3) A user may request us to correct incomplete or incorrect data held by us concerning the user.

(4) A user may request the deletion of the personal data which we have continued to process without a justifiable ground.

(5) A user has the right to make us limit the processing of their personal data.

(6) A user has the right to receive the personal information concerning them (right to data portability), in a commonly usable, machine-readable, and structured format.

(7) A user has the right to object to the processing of their personal data by us. If we process personal data for the purpose of direct marketing, we will always accept the user’s objection. If we process personal data for any other purposes, we will discontinue processing the personal data, except for the case where (i) it comes before the user’s profit, right, and freedom, or (ii) there is an unavoidable and justifiable ground in relation to commencing or taking legal action or verifying an assertion.

(8) A user has the right to lodge a complaint at any time with supervisory authorities (in particular, supervisory authorities in the EEA on the user’s place of domicile or work location, or the place where a GDPR violation allegedly occurred). However, we would appreciate it if we could have the opportunity to respond to a user’s complaint before the user attempts to contact a supervisory authority. We very much hope you will contact us in advance.

2. When a user exercises a right set forth in any of the items in the preceding paragraph, the controller may charge a fee in accordance with the applicable privacy laws and regulations.

3. If a user’s demand is apparently groundless or excessive, or if a user repeatedly makes the same or similar demand, we may charge a reasonable fee according to the demand, or may refuse to respond to the demand.

4. If a user is under the age of 16, including the case where they intend to exercise their right under this Article, they will be required to obtain the consent of their parents or guardians to the use of Our Site, or agree to the use of Our Site after having obtained permission from their parent or guardian.

Article 9 Contact (Administrator)

If you have a question or want to make a complaint, or if you desire to exercise a right set forth in Article 8 of the Privacy Policy, please contact us via the contact form below.
Data controller: Audio-Technica Corporation
Address: Please see the statement under the Act on Specified Commercial Transactions.
Contact window: Customer Support Center
Contact form (Japanese): https://www.audio-technica.co.jp/support/inquiry/form/
Contact form (English): https://www.audio-technica.co.jp/support/inquiry/en/form/

Article 10 Data Protection Agency

In addition to the above rights, especially users who reside in the EEA, or whose place of employment is in the EEA, and who believe that there is a GDPR violation, may lodge a complaint with a data protection, management, and supervision authority. However, we would appreciate your contacting us before lodging it with a data protection, management, and supervision authority.

Article 11 General Provisions

1. We have the right to delete a user’s account at any time without prior notice. If we delete an account, we have no responsibility to the user.

2. We reserve the right to revise the Privacy Policy at regular intervals. The personal data collected by us will always be governed by the latest version of the Privacy Policy. If a user accesses Our Site after the Privacy Policy is revised, the user will be deemed to have agreed to such revision of the Privacy Policy. Each revision of the Privacy Policy will be published on Our Site, and become effective as of its publication. The user is responsible for checking on the latest Privacy Policy from time to time.

3. If any provisions of the Privacy Policy conflict with laws and regulations, such provisions shall be, to the extent allowed by laws and regulations, replaced with provisions with the same purpose reflecting the intention thereof. Even in such a case, the other provisions shall continue to apply without change.